5 NBA Rookies Who Will Have Major Roles In 2014-15

5 NBA Rookies Who Will Have Major Roles In 2014-15

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Ever since the 1980s, there always seems to be a special NBA draft class per decade with elite players. In 1984, there was Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley. In 1996, there was Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Steve Nash. In 2003, there was LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. Now in 2014, there is a new crop of future elite players, and some will play a big role for their teams immediately. Let's look at the top five.

5. Elfrid Payton - PG - Orlando Magic

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5. Elfrid Payton - PG - Orlando Magic

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With Jameer Nelson leaving Orlando to play for the Dallas Mavericks and Luke Ridnour not posing a threat to him, the starting PG position is being served to Elfrid Payton on a silver platter. He helped to solidify that fact with excellent performances during the NBA Summer League. Displaying a skillset similar to a young Rajon Rondo, he scored transition baskets in a variety of ways while providing plenty of assists. He also plays good defense.

4. Nerlens Noel - PF/C - Philadelphia 76ers

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4. Nerlens Noel - PF/C - Philadelphia 76ers

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2013 was supposed to be Noel's rookie season, but he was recovering from an ACL tear he suffered during his only year at the University of Kentucky. Therefore, we were forced to wait to watch him start his NBA career as a premier big man for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he's fully recovered now and showing great quickness in his post game along with the elite shot-blocking ability he's known for. Noel is poised for a big role in 2014.

3. Andrew Wiggins - SG/SF - Minnesota Timberwolves

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3. Andrew Wiggins - SG/SF - Minnesota Timberwolves

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The pride of Thornhill, Ontario will be packing his bags and moving closer to the Canadian border after being dealt from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Wiggins was already poised to play a big role with Cleveland, but he was only going to be the fourth offensive option at best. However, in Minnesota, he will need to shoulder more of the offensive load and will easily be a top-two option for them along with Thad Young.

2. Julius Randle - PF - Los Angeles Lakers

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2. Julius Randle - PF - Los Angeles Lakers

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The Los Angeles Lakers landed themselves a future star when they drafted Julius Randle with the seventh overall pick. He was already going to play a big role in their offense since they were lacking big men with his upside. With Pau Gasol on the Chicago Bulls and the presence of Carlos Boozer posing no threat to Randle's minutes, he should be producing double-doubles from day one as a more athletic version of Zach Randolph.

1. Jabari Parker - SF - Milwaukee Bucks

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1. Jabari Parker - SF - Milwaukee Bucks

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There is no rookie more NBA-ready and set to take on a bigger role than this standout from Simeon HS in Chicago. He was drafted to a Milwaukee Bucks team, where the greatest need was at the small forward position, and he will easily be a top-two scoring option along with Brandon Knight. Parker is an early favorite for Rookie Of The Year and projects to produce over 20 points, six rebounds and four assists per game along with a block and a steal.